KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. - Depite high winds due to hurricane Sandy, the Badgers improved to third place in the 26-team Kiawah Classic at the par 71 Turtle Point Golf Course on Kiawah Island, S.C.

The Badgers improved from sixth place with a 36-hole season best 19-over 293-291--587.

UW Coach Michael Burcin said, "We are very pleased with today's round. This golf course is unbelievably difficult with winds blowing 20-30. Tom Welk has been very solid these first two rounds.

"We will have a chance tomorrow to finish off our fall with a nice finish if we can continue to be patient."

South Carolina has a seven-stroke lead after two rounds with a 7-over par 283-293--575. Host school College of Charleston is 14-over with 290-292--582.

Dustin Dinges of Stetson leads the tournament and is the only player under par at 1-under 72-69--141.

UW's Thomas Welk is having his best tournament of the year tying for third with a 2-over par 73-71--144. Welk was tied for 30th after the first round. Thomas O'Bryan improved to a tie for ninth with a 4-over par 76-70--146. O'Bryan's 70 was one of the top five scores in the second round.

Play concludes with 18 holes Tuesday. Follow live scoring on golfstat.com.